Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona is recruiting a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) to join its acute care respiratory team at a facility that has served the region since 1961. This is a full-scope clinical role spanning general med-surg and critical care, with exposure to a Level I Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, and a robust cardiology and orthopedics service line. Therapists with advanced competencies have a clear pathway to Charge Therapist responsibilities and expanded procedural scope including arterial line placement, venous access, and bronchoscopy assistance.
Perks and Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Level I Trauma Center with full acute care campus including a Comprehensive Stroke Center and labor and delivery units
- Specialty service lines include cardiology, orthopedics, stroke, emergency medicine, the Carondelet Neurological Institute, and the Carondelet Joint Replacement Center
- Full-spectrum respiratory caseload: adult, pediatric, and infant patients across general med-surg and critical care settings
- Diagnostic and therapeutic scope includes ABG and co-oximetry analysis, bedside pulmonary function screening (pre- and post-bronchodilator), SVN and MDI therapy on intubated and non-intubated patients, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy (manual and mechanical), and sputum induction
- Ventilator management: initiation and maintenance of invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP/CPAP), and transport ventilators; weaning parameter assessment (VC, NIF, Vt f/Vt)
- Emergency response responsibilities: Code arrests, Rapid Response calls, rescue breathing via BVM or pocket mask
- Advanced Level 2 competencies available: arterial line placement and monitoring, venous/peripherally inserted line placement, bronchoscopy assistance, and expanded airway management procedures — all validated through facility competency process
- Charge Therapist opportunities for qualified Level 2 practitioners
- Technology proficiency expected with ventilators, patient monitors, gas analyzers, co-oximeters, and pulmonary function screeners
- Schedule includes flexible shifts with weekend and holiday rotation to meet department needs
Qualifications
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential or registry eligibility through the NBRC
- Active Arizona Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license or eligibility to obtain
- Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy required (minimum); Bachelor of Science in a related field preferred
- Clinical experience encompassing adult, pediatric, and infant populations in both general med-surg and critical care settings
- BLS certification required; PALS and ACLS required within 6 months of hire and renewed every two years (CHVI-specific requirement)
- Proficiency with both invasive and non-invasive respiratory care practices; familiarity with ventilators, monitors, gas analyzers, co-oximeters, and pulmonary function screeners
About the Community
Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by five mountain ranges — offering year-round outdoor recreation including hiking, cycling, and birding in Saguaro National Park. The city combines a low cost of living relative to other major Southwest metros with a vibrant arts scene, University of Arizona cultural amenities, and a diverse culinary landscape. Tucson's sunny climate, affordable housing, and proximity to both the Mexican border and the Phoenix metro make it a compelling destination for clinicians seeking quality of life alongside serious clinical work.